We recently posted a video entitled, “Dishonorable Disclosures” by a group named OpSec that was making a case that the Obama administration had been releasing details of special operations for political gain. Their timing couldnt have been worse. We knew that a major book was on the horizon (and they should have to) by a bin Laden raid participant so we were a bit cautious about the whole politicized thing. Since the OpSec group is headed by SEALs it would surely make them look kind of foolish if an even bigger leak came out by a fellow SEAL. Well, now that book has been announced. According to a report by ABC News, “The book, titled “No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama bin Laden,” was written by a former SEAL team leader who the publisher said was “one of the first men through the door on the third floor of the terrorist leader’s hideout.” See the ABCNews story for details on the upcoming book by “Mark Owen.”
While we are certainly looking forward to reading the book due out September 11th, we hope that the group OpSec will attempt to maintain their legitimacy by also working to educate the public on any damage that this book might cause. Here’s your chance to do the right thing guys.
Surprising!
If that happens and a book about that operation is released I guess it will be a best seller and maybe that’s the only reason for writing it. I don’t think of any other interest than making money.
That operation is recent so I think OPSEC should be considered before releasing any data. This kind of info let enemies know better their enemies, what’s a bad thing if you have to face with them in the future.
Are you kidding me! I love coming to this website; and reading all the great stuff, but the way you have been trashing these seals(who have earned the right to critisize whomever they want) is bullshit. They have the right to speak out against this insensitive quasi communist administration if they so choose to, (these men have stuck their necks out farther than you probably have) ..and while you are sitting on your thumb at a computer typing with one hand speculating that the book actually violates OPSEC.(by the way we don’t know if it does or not, and the man involved is a bigger hero than you’ll ever be), perhaps the author’s didnt want to have to get the book approved by the same administration that has been shitting on its own military, and is more than happy to silence any threat to his image of greatness(obama) huh, sounds alot like cuba/north korea, no?. a little piece of advice…. Hey i have an idea quit reading the new york times, and watching goodmorning america all the while sucking on the obama koolaid, before you post something that may offend real hero’s
First off, it’s SEALs not Seals. Second, I’m going to let this one be posted simply as an example of someone who knows absolutely nothing about what they are saying, with one exception. You called the author a hero and he is. While we aren’t tight, I know him, and he is truly a hero. But that doesn’t excuse his actions. He did not honor his NDA with his command that he would submit any manuscripts for review before publication. The Whitehouse has nothing to do with the review of classified information. That review is conducted by the command that established the classification guidance in the first place.
I am disappointed in “Mark Owen’s” actions. But, my feelings are nothing compared to those of his former teammates. Those are the men he will have to look in the eye, and from what I have been told here in Va Beach, his peers are not happy.
Finally, I have some advice for you, don’t even attempt to assume what I read or watch on TV and don’t talk about things you don’t understand. You just look like a jackass.
The silent service the SEALS aint. This is going to require some new policy considerations within the SOF community I would think. If I’m one of the dudes teammates I would be none to pleased.
I can definately see the OPSEC argument, and I’m not saying the book should’ve been written right now. However, how is it any different than The Administration giving a movie director access to the videos and reports for the soul purpose of making a movie about the opperation in question?
It’s a bit different in that any member of that organization signed what is called a Non-Disclosure Agreement or NDA that stipulates that they will not disclose certain information to unauthorized persons. Unfortunately, few if any politicians have to sign such agreements. You’ll see lots of folks on the internet talking all about certain military organizations and structures. The fact that they are running their sucks lets me know that they never served there. If they had, they’d understand the sensitivity of the information and be bound under the agreement.
I think maybe we should let the book come out? It’s not like revealing stealth blackhawks, a pakistani doctor, stealth drones doing recon, a CIA team on the ground beforehand ETC. isn’t open source because of the administration.
I kind of wonder about those wanting people to persecute a servicemember but give a pass to politicians. Hmmmmm, wonder how they vote?
A man makes a promise. He is supposed to live by that promise. I look at every man who served differently than I do a politician. We expect service members to honor their word. We expect politicians to lie.
The SEALS are sooo out in the open that they had real SEALS doing a movie on themselves! Everything has become so Hollywood that is purely pathetic! What happened to “Silent Professionals”!?
Exactly. The administration shouldn’t be releasing sensitive information nor should the SEALs. The Opsec group should be just as pissed at their own brethren. SEALs are the very opposite of QP and everyone in SOF knows it but them.
Well looks like Fox revealed his name anyway.
Although on most topics I disagree with the Obama Administration he is the President, Commander and Chief. It was not for me (us) to question the directives from the “The Office”.
Past or present some made commitments, took oaths, to never discuss what they where trained to do, what it is they know, or did. I find it alarming to say the least that so many are ready to openly discuss what they where or are privileged to. What the enemy already might know is irrelevant. You might as well just jump sides because that is what is going on.
Enough!
Let me repost this because SSD is right about the teams being unhappy because here we have AGAIN another team guy bringing heat to NSW. Capt Bob of the SEAL magazine Ethos on SEALs bein able to talk but keeping to the rules:
“SSD posted an article about the 15th issue of Ethos, the NSW Magazine on SEAL Capt Bob Schoultz. He wrote about ex-warriors using the Trident for their own purposes and trashing all SEALs in the process.
Capt. Bob wrote there must be a standard for team guys to come public without stepping on the trident for person or political purposes:
“1. Is it fair and honest, and does it constructively contribute to the public understanding of NSW? Or does it primarily promote self-interest or a personal agenda?
2. Is the warrior exhibiting ‘a strong dose of humility,’ to include respect toward those with whom he might disagree?
3. Does the perspective or story serve the interests of those still in the arena, or does it make their lives and work more difficult, more complicated, or even more dangerous?
‘Quiet professionals’ in Naval Special Warfare need not always be ‘quiet’ – there are times when it is important and appropriate to tell our story. I don’t believe that the real issue is being ‘quiet,’ but rather having the maturity to be humble and the good judgment to be discrete. Anyone “going public” should be careful of their motives, not hurt those
still in the arena, and avoid publicly airing personal agendas. When in doubt, former warriors are welladvised to review what they plan to share with a leader still serving, to get a perspective on how the active-duty community will react and whether their intentions meet the above criteria.
How each of us presents ourselves to the public reflects our personal and professional honor, and reflects on all of us. None of us wants to be ‘voted off the island’ for an emotional or ill-considered sharing of privileged information that comes from being a trusted member of our exclusive ‘tribe.”
Unfortunately every service and MOS has numerous bad examples of someone looking to monetize their experience from the lowest levels to the highest. Name a unit (around the world) and someone has written a tell all book about it. No group is immune and if they think they have the high ground then they just need to look upward to find out that they don’t. There’ some irony in the fact that one book about a revered leader in Special Forces was titled “The Quiet Professional” (caveat: the subject was not the author). When I first wanted to become a SEAL there were probably a grand total of 3 books about the SEALs and one of those was by the Rogue Warrior. Today you could fill a small library with them as well as those of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, SAS, etc. I do agree with some of the points of Zulu6. A few of the books I keep in my library fueled my passion and desire to become a SEAL and possibly another generation growing up under my roof. Without them, I might never have known the SEALs existed much less wanted to be one.
As for this book, you won’t find it on my bookshelf!
P.S. Look for my upcoming autobiography “Warrior Without a War: The Untold Story of a Story Not Worth Telling”